The Scribe
11-25-2006, 06:26 PM
13th Region
By Peter W. Zubaty
London Sentinel-Echo
This year's 13th Region race is as wide open as it's been in a few years.
Two teams stick out as favorites, but both have big questions about them, which could leave the door open for a number of intriguing contenders.
1. Clay County (31-3) has a deep and experienced squad coming back and is the pick to repeat as 13th Region champ.
But much will depend on their ability to overcome the loss of head coach Donnie Gray, who wrapped up an outstanding 505-win career as the seventh winningest girls coach in Kentucky history with his ninth region title.
Longtime assistant James Burchell takes over for Gray, who won the 1989 Sweet 16.
The Tigers must also replace one of the top players in the school's history, first-team all-state Jayme Gilbert. Four starters return - guard Page Jackson (9.6 ppg), forwards Gemma Gray and Stephanie Jackson and center Maleah Roberts - to go with a talented group of underclassmen
"I think Clay County definitely" is the favorite, South Laurel coach Konnie Snyder said. "Not only did they win it last year, but they've got a big bulk of their team back this year."
Snyder's not sleeping on her own team's chances, however.
2. South Laurel (15-12) lost super forward Amber Neace and her 22 points a game, but the Cardinals will look to get increased production from two-guard Whitney Smith and forward Lauren Wombles, who both averaged 10 points a game last year.
Devon Burchett, a 6-0 senior center, returns from a knee injury that wiped out her junior year. Snyder expects Burchett to provide a big defensive presence down low this year.
The Cardinals struggled at times last season with a difficult schedule and having to replace several key members of their 2005 Sweet 16 semifinalist squad. The schedule is still tough, but the lineup is now junior- and senior-dominated, and the Cardinals should again be playing their best ball in the postseason.
3. North Laurel (13-17) figures to take the biggest step forward of anyone in the region. The Jaguars return all five starters and get legendary coach Roy Bowling and his four state titles and 483 career wins on the sidelines to guide a talented mix of youth and experience.
Caitie Jackson emerged as a star point guard during her freshman season, averaging nearly 13 points a game. The Jaguars will also look for offense from the wings in Casey Karr and Kayla Bargo, and from the post from Stephanie Strange, Bobbie Jo Harris and Makenzie Prichard.
"We feel like if we can come along the way I think we can, we should be in the mix," Bowling said.
4. Middlesboro (23-9) is a versatile, quick and experienced team that can go inside with 5-10 Brooklyn Jimison (11.8 ppg) and outside with a strong guard stable of Shaleesha Coleman (8.2 ppg), Sophie Robinson (10.7 ppg) and Emily Osborne (5.2 ppg).
5. Whitley County (19-8) lost their all-time leading rebounder in Kayla Haynes, but the Larry Anderson's Colonels return sharpshooter Stephanie McCullah (12.6 ppg), one of the top players in the region.
The Colonels will need increased production in the post from long-armed Amanda Brimm (7.9 ppg) to make up for the loss of Haynes. They also return guard Kayla Osborne to the starting lineup.
6. Jackson County (15-11) improved tremendously last season, and with everybody returning, could be poised for another big step forward.
Sophomore Kourtney Tyra has started since she was a seventh-grader, and averaged nearly 18 points a game last year. She's one of the top point guards in a region loaded with solid lead guards.
7. Corbin (28-4) lost several key players from last year's region runner-up, but they return starters Mikkah Rogers and Brittany Jackson, and figure to improve throughout the season as new players learn on the job under coach Jennifer Parsons.
8. Knox Central (20-10) suffered a devastating loss to South Laurel in the region tourney last year, but they get most of their team back.
Wendi Messer (18.3 ppg), a 6-0 guard, is perhaps the region's top player. Point guard Ashley Sizemore has an endless supply of hustle.
9. Cawood (14-13) returns a deep backcourt, led by junior Emily Boggs (10.9 ppg). The Trojans will have questions in the frontcourt, however.
10. Bell County (19-12) will need Katie Dixon, Ashley Frady and Kristen Baker to step up big-time to help the Bobcats overcome the loss of scoring machine Brooke Smith.
Top Players
1. Wendi Messer, 6-0, Sr. - Knox Central
2. Lauren Wombles, 5-9, Jr. - South Laurel
3. Mikkah Rogers, 5-7, Jr. - Corbin
4. Stephanie McCullah, 5-8, Sr. - Whitley County
5. Kourtney Tyra, 5-5, Soph. - Jackson County
6. Caite Jackson, 5-6, Soph. - North Laurel
7. Brooklyn Jimison, 5-10, Jr. - Middlesboro
8. Gemma Gray, 5-8, Jr. - Clay County
9. Page Jackson, 5-6, Sr. - Clay County
10. Erika Letanosky, 5-11, Sr. - Cumberland
By Peter W. Zubaty
London Sentinel-Echo
This year's 13th Region race is as wide open as it's been in a few years.
Two teams stick out as favorites, but both have big questions about them, which could leave the door open for a number of intriguing contenders.
1. Clay County (31-3) has a deep and experienced squad coming back and is the pick to repeat as 13th Region champ.
But much will depend on their ability to overcome the loss of head coach Donnie Gray, who wrapped up an outstanding 505-win career as the seventh winningest girls coach in Kentucky history with his ninth region title.
Longtime assistant James Burchell takes over for Gray, who won the 1989 Sweet 16.
The Tigers must also replace one of the top players in the school's history, first-team all-state Jayme Gilbert. Four starters return - guard Page Jackson (9.6 ppg), forwards Gemma Gray and Stephanie Jackson and center Maleah Roberts - to go with a talented group of underclassmen
"I think Clay County definitely" is the favorite, South Laurel coach Konnie Snyder said. "Not only did they win it last year, but they've got a big bulk of their team back this year."
Snyder's not sleeping on her own team's chances, however.
2. South Laurel (15-12) lost super forward Amber Neace and her 22 points a game, but the Cardinals will look to get increased production from two-guard Whitney Smith and forward Lauren Wombles, who both averaged 10 points a game last year.
Devon Burchett, a 6-0 senior center, returns from a knee injury that wiped out her junior year. Snyder expects Burchett to provide a big defensive presence down low this year.
The Cardinals struggled at times last season with a difficult schedule and having to replace several key members of their 2005 Sweet 16 semifinalist squad. The schedule is still tough, but the lineup is now junior- and senior-dominated, and the Cardinals should again be playing their best ball in the postseason.
3. North Laurel (13-17) figures to take the biggest step forward of anyone in the region. The Jaguars return all five starters and get legendary coach Roy Bowling and his four state titles and 483 career wins on the sidelines to guide a talented mix of youth and experience.
Caitie Jackson emerged as a star point guard during her freshman season, averaging nearly 13 points a game. The Jaguars will also look for offense from the wings in Casey Karr and Kayla Bargo, and from the post from Stephanie Strange, Bobbie Jo Harris and Makenzie Prichard.
"We feel like if we can come along the way I think we can, we should be in the mix," Bowling said.
4. Middlesboro (23-9) is a versatile, quick and experienced team that can go inside with 5-10 Brooklyn Jimison (11.8 ppg) and outside with a strong guard stable of Shaleesha Coleman (8.2 ppg), Sophie Robinson (10.7 ppg) and Emily Osborne (5.2 ppg).
5. Whitley County (19-8) lost their all-time leading rebounder in Kayla Haynes, but the Larry Anderson's Colonels return sharpshooter Stephanie McCullah (12.6 ppg), one of the top players in the region.
The Colonels will need increased production in the post from long-armed Amanda Brimm (7.9 ppg) to make up for the loss of Haynes. They also return guard Kayla Osborne to the starting lineup.
6. Jackson County (15-11) improved tremendously last season, and with everybody returning, could be poised for another big step forward.
Sophomore Kourtney Tyra has started since she was a seventh-grader, and averaged nearly 18 points a game last year. She's one of the top point guards in a region loaded with solid lead guards.
7. Corbin (28-4) lost several key players from last year's region runner-up, but they return starters Mikkah Rogers and Brittany Jackson, and figure to improve throughout the season as new players learn on the job under coach Jennifer Parsons.
8. Knox Central (20-10) suffered a devastating loss to South Laurel in the region tourney last year, but they get most of their team back.
Wendi Messer (18.3 ppg), a 6-0 guard, is perhaps the region's top player. Point guard Ashley Sizemore has an endless supply of hustle.
9. Cawood (14-13) returns a deep backcourt, led by junior Emily Boggs (10.9 ppg). The Trojans will have questions in the frontcourt, however.
10. Bell County (19-12) will need Katie Dixon, Ashley Frady and Kristen Baker to step up big-time to help the Bobcats overcome the loss of scoring machine Brooke Smith.
Top Players
1. Wendi Messer, 6-0, Sr. - Knox Central
2. Lauren Wombles, 5-9, Jr. - South Laurel
3. Mikkah Rogers, 5-7, Jr. - Corbin
4. Stephanie McCullah, 5-8, Sr. - Whitley County
5. Kourtney Tyra, 5-5, Soph. - Jackson County
6. Caite Jackson, 5-6, Soph. - North Laurel
7. Brooklyn Jimison, 5-10, Jr. - Middlesboro
8. Gemma Gray, 5-8, Jr. - Clay County
9. Page Jackson, 5-6, Sr. - Clay County
10. Erika Letanosky, 5-11, Sr. - Cumberland